TITLE:
Effect of Titanium Content on the Structure, Electrical Conductivity and Mechanical Properties of Cu-3wt%Si Alloys
AUTHORS:
C. W. Onyia, E. E. Nnuka, C. N. Nwambu, C. M. Ekwedigwe
KEYWORDS:
Cu-3wt%Si Alloys, Titanium, Electrical Conductivity, Mechanical Properties
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.10 No.12,
December
27,
2023
ABSTRACT: In the present study, the effect of titanium content on the structure, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of Cu-3wt%Si alloys were investigated. The experimental alloys were produced with various titanium concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.9%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% and 3% by weight using permanent mould casting technique. Tensile, hardness, impact and conductivity tests were carried out on the cast samples. Micro-structures of the specimens were also analyzed using optical microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were used to characterize the cast specimens. The results indicated that the addition of titanium to Cu-3wt%Si alloy refined and modified the structure of the alloy resulting in improvement in the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, hardness and Young’s modulus of the experimental alloy by 442.3%, 425%, 70.59%, 53.9%, respectively at 1.5wt%Ti content and percentage elongation, impact strength and electrical conductivity by 186.24%, 187.67% and 7.26% respectively at 0.1wt%Ti content. The addition of titanium also led to the formation of CuTi2 phase which further contributed to the increase in strength and hardness of the alloy.